The Australian Constitution and the End of Empire - A Century of Legal History

This article considers the Australian Constitution and the end of empire - it is an examination of, and a reflection on, effectively a century of legal history. It canvasses five particular topics: the assumption by Australia of international legal personality; the sovereign's position and authority; the Governor-General's office; the scope of various legislative powers; and the Australian judicial structure. This examination illustrates how, with the diminishing impact of the British Empire and its institutions in the past century, the Australian Constitution's operation has been modified, and the High Court's position in the judicial structure has changed significantly. Full text also available via Informit